Behavior & Human Dimensions

Understanding human behavior is critical for achieving the goals of energy efficiency. Whether we are purchasing goods, using energy to service our homes and workplaces, or responding to the constraints placed upon us by technology and systems that surround us, human behavior is the key.

Everything always comes back to behavior, even when the discussion turns upon the installation of technology: No matter how efficient the light bulb standard is, people still need to get to the hardware store, select the right bulb, take it home, install it, and use it properly before the benefits can be realized.

Behavior and the Human Dimensions of Energy Use is a growing area of interest to utilities, businesses, and governments at the federal, state, and local levels. Institutions or agencies working to promote energy efficiency benefits should incorporate a behavioral perspective to improve the reach and impact of their programs. Energy professionals can use social science to shape the ways in which programs can benefit customers and their usage of energy-derived goods and services. Specific areas in which social science is informing the work of energy efficiency are:

ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency
in Buildings - Papers

Overview / Mission

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. We believe that the United States can harness the full potential of energy efficiency to achieve greater economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection for all its people.